Joy is the Greatest Gift - Review and Giveaway

Ever since I was lucky enough to become a Mama, I've been re-discovering the joys of simple things that I'd taken for granted. The sight a sparrow chirping on the windowsill. A thunderstorm. The Moon floating in the night sky. When you see them through the wide eyes of a child, you can't help but appreciate them all over again!

Gift of creating joyIt is that kind of innocent joy that Focus Friends, a Colarado-based company created by 2 Moms, seeks to spread and inspire with their new line of quality books and products for young children, ages 2 to 9, based on unique characters they call Focus Friends. Each Focus Friend character possesses the essence of a special gift or trait and shows children how to apply that quality to their lives.

Their debut title, Joy is the Greatest Gift, written by Marks and illustrated by award-winning artist Eris Klein, introduces the first Focus Friends character, Joyann, who shares with readers her gift of creating joy. I had an opportunity to review this book and had fun reading it out loud to my toddler who was very impressed with the colorful illustrations. He just looked the pictures and tried to repeat the rhyming words after me, but he's too young to appreciate its inherent message.

positive messageIn a message meant for children (but applies equally well, if not more, to adults), Joyann talks of opening up the gift of joy and finding it everywhere. In beauty, in smiles, in nature, in family and friends and oh, in so many other things. One just has to look for joy in order to find it, for it's everywhere. And the best thing to do with joy is to spread it. There is even a Joy List that a child can fill out towards the end. I loved this message and I know from now on whenever I'm mad or blue, I'll think of this book and remember its missive. The book's positive message is one that I, as a parent, want to instill in my child and hence, will treasure this book always. I also have no hesitation in recommending it to other parents.

free bookmarkFocus Friends will be releasing their second book, Appreciation Party, sometime this fall. Register with them so find out news of their upcoming products and get a free bookmark! Their other products include storybook illustration prints, mounted and textured, with sayings to inspire your children and families.

Now for the GIVEAWAY!

Prize: A copy of Joy is the Greatest Gift to one lucky winner.

How To Enter:

• Visit Focus Friends. Come back here and leave a comment with the name of a retailer (you'll find the list on their website) in YOUR state, who carries their books. If your state is not in the list, leave the name of a bookstore where you'd like to see Focus Friends. (Perhaps even talk to the bookstore manager about carrying it?) One Entry.  
  
  Don't forget to leave your email address with your comment.
  Sorry, but I don't have time to go looking into profiles in search of your email.
  Leave it in the format : "abc AT xyz DOT com" if you're worried about spammers.  
  Comments without an email address will be disqualified.
  
  

For Extra Entries:

• Blog this giveaway and leave a separate comment with the link to your post. 
• Subscribe to this blog. Leave a separate comment saying you've done so. Existing subscribers may leave a comment to that effect.
• Three extra entries when any entrant mentions you've referred them here.
• Don't forget to leave your email address with at least one of your comments.

Drawing and Notification:

• All entries must be received by midnight CST on July 31, 2008 to qualify.
• Open to US and Canada.
• Winners will be chosen impartially by Random.org and posted here soon afterwards.

Disclaimer / General Info for all my giveaways

Check it out - HERE.

Good luck!

-----------------------------------------------------------------
If you like this post, then please consider subscribing to my Full Feed RSS.
You can also Subscribe by Email and have new posts sent directly to your inbox.